I really have to laugh at this platform - Trulia Questions. Not familiar?
Now it seems that 'anyone' can answer real estate questions for points! Just like an Active Rain wanna be? Trulia now has different 'levels' and different point systems in essence playing a real estate Mario Bros. game! What I'm laughing at is that buyers are answering other buyers questions and they don't know what they are talking about all in the name of points!
This reminds me of Rich Jacobson and his recent post 'Do customers get qualified answers on Trulia and Zillow? Rich was recently 'spanked' on Trulia because he had said that you should only answer questions based on your particular area & field of expertise. Somehow it became a mini State Farm commercial about 'being a good neighbor'! 
But the premise being, what kind of advice is really being offered here? Why are agents located in Washington giving advice to a buyer in a local market of Streamwood IL? For points?
Is the consumer actually benefiting?
I say they're not! Different contracts, different laws, different customs all makes the consumer more confused. Isn't our job to cut thru the confusion?
We tend to stay away from that -- seems unproductive -- our 2 cents.
Bob & Carolin - agreed!
I tried to get involved with Trulia, but I couldn't get the hang of it. I get questions sent to my mailbox, and as soon as I get them there are already several answers there. Som of them are wrong.
Tere: I know they make a big deal about 1st to answer but I'm not sure if that really makes a difference to the advice given. When buyers give other buyers real estate advice, everyone is going to need a lawyer.
I'm not a huge Trulia fan! As you mentioned it's an AR wannabe. Why reinvent the wheel? If we spread ourselves out too thin then we lack focus. See my crazy anti-social post. I'm streamlining my time and efforts into social communities that pack the most punch.
Lyn,
The REALTORS I hang out with would agree with Bob & Carolin Benjamin!
Mike in Tucson
Excellent point Karin, we only have so much time in a day and we should put it where you get the biggest punch.
Thanks Mike.
Trulia has a good idea, but no quality control for the questions or answers. There are some very competent agents answering questions adroitly, but most consumers couldn't tell the difference between a thoughtful answer and a painfully incorrect response.
I looked at it once and it looked to be a big waste of time!
Dave: That's one of my points also, a buyer answering another buyers question about legal matters is not going to give good advice. Or, buyers are linking to articles that say the housing market is never going to recover etc. Even though it is a personal opinion, it just seems ill advice. Is the housing market going to crash? Some might say, yes, some say no.
Bill: Good for you that you've decided not to participate.
Hi Lyn!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Trulia Voices.
Although anyone can get points for their contributions on Trulia, in my opinion, consumers care more about getting their questions answered.
With regards to buyers answering other buyers questions on Trulia Voices - consumer2consumer conversations are natural no matter what platform. Consumers on many sites and forums answer each others questions all the time. As you and others point out, can the advice they give each other be inaccurate - sure. But that is where the opportiunity lies. A huge one at that. If you are a professional and know the answer, it's your time to shine and help those consumers out. Agents that are doing this on Trulia Voices are benefitting.
Now with regards to answering questions in your local geography only vs out of primary area, i see both sides of this equation. On one hand, some questions are so specific to a local area that only local agents should contribute answers. But, on the other hand, some questions are so generic, that I can answer the question no matter the location. It's a balancing act for sure. But it all starts with intent. Is the agent genuinely trying to be helpful? Do they have the knowledge and expertise to answer that question? If so, I'd hope they'd use their judgement to decide which questions to answer.
We at Trulia understand and hear everyones concerns and are always working on ways of making your experience better. It's a challenge, but we're up for it.
@Tere - If you see other answers already posted to questions that you feel you know the answer to, I see nothing wrong with adding your insight and advice as well. Who knows, that consumer may value your expertise more than that of others.
@Karin - Happy to hear you have found places that work for you. You said it, it is about time. We only have so much of during the day. Knowing how and where to spend it is very important. However, unless you put in the time and effort to test something, you will not know the potential it can hold for you. You only get what you give.
@Dave - We do have quality control measures in place and have moderators within the community. Emily is our lead community moderator and she does a great job. Do we also rely on our community to flag things that are inappropriate, yes. Could we use more help from our community, of course. Consumers are not dumb. They can tell if someone is trying to hard sell them vs someone who is genuinely trying to help.
I appreciate everyone's time and feedback as it is, at the end of the day, very helpful.
Best,
Rudy from Trulia
Rudy: Thanks for stopping by with your thoughts and input. So far for me, being on Trulia for a significant amount of time - I'm throwing in the towel now with this new point system.
No, I have never gotten any calls, nor any business no matter what I do on the platform. Seems like a waste of time vs. other areas of my business. Why? No results - from anywhere! Bad results with my submitted listings - always incorrect for one reason or another and price changes are NEVER done.
So .... I'm finished with it. (washing my hands movement) Buhhhh bye!
Lyn, Trulia is good to copy and paste your AR on, as it gives good back links to google for you....other than that, it is a 'let's play Realtor' game.
Jane, good point, but .... when they (Trulia) puts in results ahead of you in your area, that doesn't really do anything for one's position in the local market does it?
I have to put my two cents in. I had no clue about Trulia points, nor do I care. I just pop in now and again if I see something that I can answer quickly. However, some of the questions look like they are written by 3 year olds and realtors are posting detailed responses to what actually looks like spam. I don't know. I don't get the warm and fuzzies in Trulia :)